Northampton graduate puts canines on canvas
Published Tuesday 22nd February 2011
Dog-loving graduate Minnie Teckman is putting canines on canvas – thanks to entrepreneurial support from The University of Northampton’s Enterprise Inc project.
Enterprise Inc, which is being run by nine universities in the East Midlands , aims to improve the enterprise skills and entrepreneurship of 500 students and graduates across the region.
At The University of Northampton, 26 six graduates have been given a place on the project this year - one of whom is 38-year-old BA (Hons) Fine Art Drawing and Painting graduate Minnie, who has launched her new 'Project Dog Walk', business thanks to the Enterprise Inc cash bursary of £2,500 and business support worth £3,000 from the University.
Minnie, a fine artist who works from the University-based Portfolio Innovation Centre, said: "My previous experience as a veterinary nurse inspired me to create an art project with a difference.
"I have started my business by engaging the local community in my project and using dog walkers as my models for fine art drawings and paintings. I am aiming to put on an exhibition of drawings and paintings which will feature 100 local dog walkers. The exhibition will be opened by a fundraising dog show and followed by a few days of art workshops, which will be run by artists from the wider community.
"My ambition is that this project will be a springboard towards a lifelong career as a self representing artist. The funding from Enterprise Inc will help towards the cost of public relations and advertising and is really helping me turn my idea into a reality."
Sharon Irwin, Enterprise Club Manager at The University of Northampton, added: "Our Enterprise Inc project is just one way we are able to help our students, recent graduates and academics who have an idea and want to convert it into a real business venture.
"Supporting and encouraging enterprise and entrepreneurs is very important to the University. We are demined to prepare our students for graduate level jobs, either as employees or as entrepreneurs running their own businesses. We want to enable our expert academic staff to spin-out new ventures to commercialise their knowledge, and we want to be a resource for businesses and would-be entrepreneurs throughout Northamptonshire and our local region."
To find out more visit www.northampton.ac.uk and key 'Enterprise Inc' into the 'Search' button.
(Image supplied by Minnie Teckman)